Lost in Neverland

15

Something was different about Cassian. It started with small things—a nervous glance here, a distracted look there—but gradually, it became more pronounced. He was more jumpy than usual, his laughter a bit forced, his smiles a bit too quick to fade.

I noticed the change over the next few days, the way he seemed to be constantly on edge. It was subtle at first, easy to brush off as stress or worry. But as time went on, it became clear that something was deeply wrong. He was hiding something, and it was gnawing at him, eroding the carefree facade he usually wore.

My concern grew, but so did my determination to find out what was going on. I made it my mission to uncover the truth, to understand the source of Cassian’s unease. I started to observe him more closely, watching for any clues that might reveal the secrets he was keeping.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon and painted the sky in hues of pink and orange, Cassian’s behavior took a darker turn. We were sitting by the fire, surrounded by the other Lost Kids. The atmosphere was usually light-hearted, filled with stories and laughter, but tonight, Cassian seemed distant, lost in his thoughts.

A younger boy, Jace, was recounting a particularly amusing tale of his own misadventures, and we all laughed along with him. But when Jace playfully nudged Cassian for his reaction, something snapped. Cassian’s face contorted in anger, and he lashed out, pushing Jace away with more force than necessary.

“Enough!” Cassian’s voice was sharp, cutting through the night air like a knife. The sudden outburst shocked everyone into silence. Jace looked up at him, wide-eyed and trembling, and the rest of us exchanged uneasy glances.

I stared at Cassian, my heart pounding. This wasn’t the Cassian I knew—the one who was always patient and kind, who treated everyone with gentle care. His eyes were wild, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. He looked like a man on the edge, ready to break.

Without a word, Cassian stormed off into the forest, leaving us all in stunned silence. The fire crackled softly, a stark contrast to the tension that hung in the air. I knew I had to follow him, to try and understand what was happening.
I waited a few minutes, letting the others settle down before I slipped away. The forest was dark and silent, the moon casting ghostly shadows on the ground. I moved cautiously, following the faint sound of Cassian’s footsteps until I found him leaning against a tree, his head in his hands.

“Cassian,” I called softly, not wanting to startle him. He looked up, his eyes filled with a mix of anger and despair. For a moment, I thought he might push me away too, but instead, he just sighed and sank to the ground.
“Emily,” he murmured, his voice breaking. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to...”

I knelt beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. “What’s going on, Cassian? You’re not yourself. Please, talk to me.”

He shook his head, refusing to meet my gaze. “It’s nothing. Just... pressure. It’s getting to me.”

But I could see it was more than that. Something was deeply wrong, and he was struggling to keep it hidden. I wanted to press him further, but I knew he wouldn’t open up if I pushed too hard. So, I left him there, hoping he would come to me when he was ready.

The next day, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. Cassian’s behavior was a mystery I needed to solve, but I couldn’t do it alone. I needed help, and there was only one person I could think of—Edward.

I made my way to the pirate ship, my heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination. The other pirates were rougher than I remembered, their eyes cold and suspicious as they saw me approach. They didn’t recognize me at first, and before I could explain, they grabbed me, their hands bruising my arms as they dragged me onto the ship.
“Hey!” I protested, struggling against their grip. “I need to see Edward!”

They ignored my pleas, shoving me towards the deck. The noise drew more pirates, and soon, a small crowd had gathered, their faces a mix of curiosity and hostility. I felt a surge of panic, my heart racing as I realized how precarious my situation was.

“What’s going on here?” Edward’s voice cut through the chaos, and the pirates parted to let him through. He looked different—calmer, more composed. The tension that had marked our previous encounters was gone, replaced by a serene confidence.

“Edward,” I breathed, relief flooding through me. “I need to talk to you. It’s about Cassian.”

He nodded, gesturing for the pirates to release me. “Let her go. She’s with me.”

They hesitated but eventually let me go, their rough hands leaving bruises on my skin. I rubbed my arms, trying to shake off the lingering fear as Edward led me to a quieter part of the ship.

“Cassian’s been acting strange,” I explained once we were alone. “He’s jumpy, angry—like he’s hiding something. Last night, he lost his temper and pushed Jace. It was... frightening.”

Edward’s expression darkened. “Cassian’s hiding a lot more than you know, Emily. He’s not the person you think he is.”
I frowned, my skepticism returning. “What do you mean? Cassian’s always been kind and protective. Why would he change?”

Edward sighed, running a hand through his hair. “He’s under a lot of pressure. Leading the Lost Kids, keeping everyone safe—it’s a heavy burden. But there’s more to it. There are secrets he’s not telling you, things that could change how you see him.”

I felt a knot of fear tighten in my stomach. “Like what?”

“Like why you’re really here,” Edward said softly. “Why he brought you to Neverland. It’s not just about giving you a second chance at childhood. There’s a deeper reason, one he’s kept hidden from you.”

I shook my head, refusing to believe it. “No, that can’t be true. Cassian wouldn’t lie to me.”

“Wouldn’t he?” Edward’s voice was gentle, but his eyes were filled with a sad understanding. “You need to find out for yourself, Emily. Talk to him, see if he’ll tell you the truth. But be careful. He’s not as innocent as he seems.”

I felt a wave of doubt wash over me, my trust in Cassian wavering. “How do I get him to talk?”

“Play along,” Edward suggested. “Act like you’re interested in his feelings. Make him think you’re on his side. He might open up if he believes you care about him.”

The idea made me uneasy, but I knew it was the only way to get to the bottom of this. I had to find out the truth, no matter how painful it might be. I nodded, feeling a renewed sense of determination.

“Thank you, Edward,” I said, looking into his eyes. “I appreciate your help.”

He smiled, a hint of sadness in his expression. “Be careful, Emily. This is a dangerous game you’re playing.”

I left the ship with a heavy heart, my mind racing with questions and doubts. The walk back to the cabin felt longer than usual, the forest darker and more foreboding. When I finally reached the clearing, I saw Cassian waiting for me, his face a mask of worry.

“Emily, where have you been?” he asked, his voice filled with concern.

“I needed some time to think,” I replied, avoiding his gaze. “I’m sorry if I worried you.”

He stepped closer, his eyes searching mine. “Are you okay? You seem... distant.”

“I’m fine,” I lied, forcing a smile. “Just a lot on my mind.”

Cassian nodded, but I could see the doubt in his eyes. He knew something was wrong, but he didn’t press me for answers. Instead, he took my hand, leading me back to the cabin.

That night, as we sat by the fire, I watched him carefully, looking for any signs of the secrets he was hiding. He seemed more relaxed, his usual charm returning as he talked with the other Lost Kids. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something dark lurking beneath the surface.

I knew I had to play my part, to act like I cared about him in a way that would make him open up. It was a dangerous game, one that could break both our hearts. But I had no choice. I needed to know the truth, no matter the cost.